Bandage construction

ABSTRACT

An elastic bandage construction for traumatic and post traumatic bandages for supporting after sprains, broken bones after the removal of the cast, for minor fractures and chronically unstable joints and ligaments. The bandage is made of an elastic material preferably with a soft nap to cut down on chafing and make the bandage more comfortable. The bandage has a performed section to fit around an ankle. It is then provided with an elongated integral section for wrapping around the joint. &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Velcro&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; fasteners are provided not only at the end of the bandage but intermediately so that after a proper and comfortable tightening of the bandage, it will be retained in place while the hands are free to complete the bandaging operation. The bandage is constructed to provide for support without bulk. The user can tighten or adjust the bandage as desired. The bandage comprises an elongated portion having one end turned into a U-shape to fit around the back of the foot and around the Achilles tendon. A second looped portion is sewed to the bottom edge of the U-shaped portion and is adapted to extend around the bottom of the arch or instep. These portions are then tightened around the foot and locked in place by a suitably positioned &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Velcro&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; fastener. The elongated section can then be wrapped around the instep and then completely around the ankle and finished off with another &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Velcro&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; fastener.

United States Patent Garrahan et a1.

[ 1 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] BANDAGE CONSTRUCTION [72] Inventors: William F. Garrahan; Edwin J. Madden, both of 166 Tollgate Road;

Clarence J. Picard, 981 Greenwich Avenue, all of Warwick, RI. 02886 221 Filed: Dec. 16, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 98,747

[52] US. Cl. ...128/l66, 128/DIG. 1s.

[51] Int. Cl.- ..A61f 13/06 [58] Field of Search...128/166, 166.5; 165, 157, 149, 128/80 H, 153; 273/54 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney-Max Schwartz [57] ABSTRACT An elastic bandage construction for traumatic and post traumatic bandages for supporting after sprains, broken bones after the removal of the cast, for minor fractures and chronically unstable joints and ligaments. The bandage is made of an elastic material preferably with a soft nap to cut down on chafing and make the bandage more comfortable. The bandage has a performed section to fit around an ankle. It is then provided with an elongated integral section for wrapping around the joint. Velcro fasteners are provided not only at the end of the bandage but intermediately so that after a proper and comfortable tightening of the bandage, it will be retained in place while the hands are free to complete the bandaging operation. The bandage is constructed to provide for support without bulk. The user can tighten or adjust the bandage as desired. The bandage comprises an elongated portion having one end turned into a U- shape to fit around the back of the foot and around the Achilles tendon. A second looped portion is sewed to the bottom edge of the U-shaped portion and is adapted to extend around the bottom of the arch or instep. These portions are then tightened around the foot and locked in place by a suitably positioned Velcro fastener. The elongated section can then be wrapped around the instep and then completely around the ankle and finished off with another Velcro fastener.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU I973 3,699,959

William Garrahan, Edwin rlMadden, Clarence flllicard,

r .6. a I

I n ven tons:

BANDAGE CONSTRUCTION Our present invention relates to bandages and more particularly to a novel construction of an elastic bandage for the support of the ankles.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an elastic bandage for traumatic and post'traumatic use on the ankle.

A further object-of the present invention is to provide an elastic bandage which provides a healing support with comfort and without bulk.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an elastic bandage particularly designed for ankles which have been sprained, broken after the removal of the cast, have minor fractures, or are chronically unstable in joints and ligaments.

A further objectof the present invention is to provide an elastic bandage which can be modified for the use of athletes as a preventative and a temporary additional support.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an elastic bandage which allows for the proper movement of the joints with a desirable reinforcement and strengthening of the ligaments.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an elastic bandage which can .readily and comfortably be applied by the user without difficulty.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view our invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, 7

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bandage embodying the present invention for an ankle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bandage shown in FIG. 1 from the other side of the bandage.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the bandage applied to an ankle. f

FIG. 4 is a front view of the ankle with the bandage partially wound in place.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the bandage completely positioned on the ankle.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the material from which the bandage is made.

In the treatment of various types of injuries to joints and ligaments it has been customary to apply an elastic bandage wrapping commonly called an Ace bandage. These bandages have been wrapped in large voluminous folds around the ankles with varying degrees of tightness. Either the bandage is too loose or too tight. In any event it must be completely unwrapped and retied. The bandage is bulky and difficult to apply. Furthermore, the Ace bandages come in large rolls which are cut to length by the user. Therefore, there is a considerable amount of waste as there is no guide provided as to what length the bandage must be cut to.

The present invention is designed to replace the Ace bandage with a preformed elastic bandage which eliminates all the discomfort and disadvantages heretofore encountered with the Ace bandage. The bandage of the present invention is simple and easy to apply and its tension can be adjusted by the user as it is being'put on. The bandage is not bulky and will fit under a shoe. It is easy to adjust and provides adequate support while healing with comfort. Now referring to FIGS. l'to 6 inclusive, the bandages of the present invention' are preferably made of an elastic webbing 10 preferably of rayon and nylon and having a nap 11 on one side forming a felted lining. Applicants have found that this material available conventionally on the market provides a non-irritating bandage which reduces the irritation of the skin to the elastic material.

The bandage to be used on the ankles is provided in two versions, a left and a right foot. FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive illustrate the bandageon the left foot. The ankle bandage comprises an elongated strip of the preferred material 12 preferably 3 inches in width and approximately 2 feet in length. We now provide a strap or loop of the same material atl3 which is sewed to adjacent the bottom edge of one end of the strap 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end 14 of the loop 13 is positioned approximately 2 inches to 2 1 inches from the end of the strip 12 and the other end 15 of the strap or loop 13 is positioned approximately 10 inches from the end of the strip 12. This provides a loop of material which is U-shaped. Furthermore the loop 13 is provided with ends that have been cut at an angle so that the loop extends downwardly and at a rearward angle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In wrapping the bandage around an ankle, the bandage is first positioned on the ankle 16 as shown in FIG.

3. The loop ,13 extends under the foot towards the rear portion thereof and the U-shaped portion 17 extends around the Achilles tendon at the back of the foot. The user now tightens the strap portion around the ankle to a comfortable firm tightness and pulls the elongated portion around the front. The free end 18 of the bandage 12 is provided with an elongated Velcro pad 19 which is now positioned at the front of the foot. The bandage is provided at its inner portion adjacent the end 15 of the loop, with the monofilament hooks 20 of the Velcro fastener. Now as the bandage 12 is wrapped around the foot, the hooks 20 engage the pad 19 to hold the bandage in position. Since both the hooks 20 and pad 19 are elongated, they will allow for different thicknesses of ankles and for different tightnesses of adjustment. In any event the user can pull the bandage at this point as tight as it would be comfortable and the Velcro fastener elements 20 and 19 will immediately lock the bandage into holding position.

The above fastening permits the user to reach around and manipulate the rest of the bandage. The body of the bandage 21 is now passed beneath the arch as shown in FIG. 4 and then upwardly and around the ankle again until the end 22 having the Velcro monofilament portions 23 thereon engages the Velcro pad 24. The pad 24 is positioned on the outside of the looped portion 17 just above the end 14 of the loop 13, see FIG. 2. In this position as can be seen in FIG. 4, it is positioned on one side of the ankle joint. Now when the end 22 is swung completely around as shown in FIG. 5 it will engage the pad 24 to lock the bandage in position.

The size of the various Velcro elements is such that they will allow for the different sizes of the ankles and different tightening adjustments. The bandage thus provides a traumatic and post traumatic bandage. It is preferably designed not for an uninjured but for an injured ankle. It can be used on sprains, on broken bones after the removal of the cast, on very minor fractures, and on chronically unstable joints and ligaments. It will be found that the bandage above described provides support while allowing healing and with comfort. It is not bulky and will permit a shoe to be worn on the foot. It is very easy to apply and can be comfortably adjusted to take care of any swelling of the joints. The shape of the base bandage is preferred for the support of ligaments as it follows the shape of the ligaments. The elasticity allows for the movement of the joints with the desired reinforcement and strengthening of the ligaments.

For further effectiveness, the bandage is provided not only in a right and left ankle design, but also in sizes. The above construction can also be used by athletes as a preventative or a temporary additional support. In such case the elongated section 21 may be lengthened by an additional six or eight inches to permit further wrapping around the foot or ankle. The material lends itself to washing without destroying its effectiveness. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A bandage construction comprising an elongated strip of elastic material, a preformed portion adjacent one end of said strip for receiving a body joint and ligaments to be supported by said bandage, said preformed portion comprising a U-shaped bend adjacent one end of said strip, a strap loop of elastic material depending from said bend, one end of said loop being attached adjacent the end of said strip and the other end of said loop being attached to the opposite portion of the U- bend, whereby said'U-bend can be positioned around the Achilles tendon of a foot and across the ankle, said loop adapted to extend beneath the arch and sole of the foot, said strip adapted to be wrapped around the foot and ankle, said preformed portion adapted to be wrapped around the foot and ankle joint with a comfortable tension, means for releasably locking said bandage in position after a partial wrapping around the foot and ankle joint, and means for releasably locking the end of said bandage strip to said bandage after the completion of the wrapping.

2. A bandage construction as in claim 1, wherein said elastic material comprises an elastically woven web of nylon and rayon, the inner body contacting surface of said material having a soft nap to prevent chafing.

3. A bandage construction as in claim 1, wherein said strip of elastic material is elongated to provide additional wrapping length for an athletic preventative support.

4. A bandage construction as in claim 1 wherein said bandage is provided in right and left models and in various sizes, and wherein said strip loop ends are cut on a bias to slant said loop downwardly and rearwardly. 

1. A bandage construction comprising an elongated strip of elastic material, a preformed portion adjacent one end of said strip for receiving a body joint and ligaments to be supported by said bandage, said preformed portion comprising a U-shaped bend adjacent one end of said strip, a strap loop of elastic material depending from said bend, one end of said loop being attached adjacent the end of said strip and the other end of said loop being attached to the opposite portion of the U-bend, whereby said U-bend can be positioned around the Achilles tendon of a foot and across the ankle, said loop adapted to extend beneath the arch and sole of the foot, said strip adapted to be wrapped around the foot and ankle, said preformed portion adapted to be wrapped around the foot and ankle joint with a comfortable tension, means for releasably locking said bandage in position after a partial wrapping around the foot and ankle joint, and means for releasably locking the end of said bandage strip to said bandage after the completion of the wrapping.
 2. A bandage construction as in claim 1, wherein said elastic material comprises an elastically woven web of nylon and rayon, the inner body contacting surface of said material having a soft nap to prevent chafing.
 3. A bandage construction as in claim 1, wherein said strip of elastic material is elongated to provide additional wrapping length for an athletic preventative support.
 4. A bandage construction as in claim 1 wherein said bandage is provided in right and left models and in various sizes, and wherein said strip loop ends are cut on a bias to slant said loop downwardly and rearwardly. 